Kai Asakura says he feels excellent at bantamweight and wants to return in August at the Shanghai card. After two consecutive losses, he seriously considered retirement if he lost again, fearing he would be cut from the UFC. He believes he retains more muscle mass and power at 135 pounds than he did at flyweight, and suffered no injuries in his recent win. Asakura aims to finish his next opponent by knockout and face a ranked fighter.
Kai Asakura has set his sights on an August appearance at the UFC's Shanghai card, expressing confidence in his new weight class and targeting a knockout finish in his next outing.
The 32-year-old Japanese fighter, who competes out of Japan Top Team, recently picked up a victory at bantamweight and says the move up from flyweight has agreed with him physically. Standing five-foot-eight with a 69-inch reach, Asakura carries a professional record of 21 wins and 6 losses. He has been an orthodox striker who averages 2.27 significant strikes landed per minute, and his recent form suggests the added muscle mass that comes with competing at 135 pounds has given him a noticeable boost in power. He noted that he retains more muscle and strength at bantamweight than he ever did cutting to flyweight.
The road to that recent win was not straightforward. Asakura revealed he had back-to-back losses heading into his most recent fight and had seriously entertained retirement if the result had gone against him, fearing that a third consecutive defeat would have led to his release from the UFC. The fact that he came through uninjured only adds to his optimism heading into the summer.
With the win now behind him, Asakura has stated his intention to face a ranked bantamweight opponent next and finish that fight by knockout.
Why it matters
- Asakura's return from the brink of retirement adds meaningful stakes to his divisional climb at 135 pounds
- A ranked opponent next would mark a significant step up in competition, potentially pushing him into the bantamweight top fifteen
- His orthodox striking style and stated ambition for a knockout finish set up an aggressive approach that could make a Shanghai appearance a high-profile showcase
